Tag Archives: Hooded Merganser

When time is limited or weather is sketchy, I appreciate having Commonwealth Lake close to home for a quick birding fix. Early in the morning, River Otters will often visit the lake to fill up on fish. There were three … Continue reading →

Spring is coming on strong, despite the cold latter half of March. The season is most obvious in the open habitats around wetlands. Local nesters are starting to pair up and collect nesting material.The winter sparrow flocks are starting to … Continue reading →

With the ongoing renovations taking place at Fernhill Wetlands, each visit throughout the year is a new experience. Most of the breeding species have done their thing, and the resident waterfowl have molted into ugly duck season. Water levels are … Continue reading →

I went out for a few hours on New Year’s Day to scout locations for my upcoming gull class. The weather was freakishly sunny for a January day in the Portland area. The only gull flock I found was at … Continue reading →

As spring approaches, the numbers and diversity at Portland’s Westmoreland Park are starting to wain. The winter gull flock is down to Glaucous-winged X Western hybrids and two Herring Gulls. While there is no shortage of white-cheeked geese, there were … Continue reading →

This Hooded Merganser, found at Jackson Bottom Wetlands Reserve, had a brood of 10 little ones. The young birds were spread out over a large area, so I could never get them all in the same frame. They were actively … Continue reading →

Here are a few more images from a recent trip to the coast. Black Turnstone at The Cove in Seaside (Birding Oregon p. 121) Surfbirds blend in with the rocks very well until someone opens their wings. California Gull in … Continue reading →